When I Feel Like This...

I’ve been feeling like I’m a hamster running in a wheel. Round and round I run. Fast. With what seems like no destination.

Another mess to clean.

Another diaper to change.

Another meal to cook.

Another load of laundry.

Another trip to the store.

Over and over again. Never making any progress.   

But I began to meditate on this verse.

And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith

Hebrews 12:1b-2a

My feelings often cloud the truth. I am running, but not in a wheel. I’m running in a race. It is the race that God has set before me. He has planned this part of the course. He knows the terrain I run right now. It is paved with messes, dishes, diapers, cooking, laundry, errands, and all the demands of littles. And it is a long stretch of the same things every day.

But I’m spending to much time looking at the terrain and not enough time looking at Jesus.  

Although I’m out of practice, I love to run and I love to race. When I’m in the race I notice the road but it is not what is fixed in my mind. While I’m running I’m fixing my eyes on the finish line. That’s why I can keep my pace. I know there is a finish. As my feet pound the road, I’m making progress.  

That’s the point of this verse in Hebrews.  We can run with endurance because we keep looking at Jesus.  

As I look toward Him I remember. I remember He began my journey. I remember that He is perfecting my faith.   

As I look toward Him I’m thankful. Thankful that He holds my heart and at the finish line I’ll run into His arms. I’m thankful, although the terrain around me is not changing, He is changing me into His likeness. I’m thankful that He can help me run well right now.  

So last night as I wiped up yet another glass of spilled something and began the bedtime routine with my fussy littles, I silently prayed.

Lord, I’m running in this race. It’s hard. I’m tired. But I know I'm running the race You have for me. I know You are perfecting me even in this. I know You’ll give me Your strength to run well.  Amen. 

Be encouraged friend. Jesus know the race you run. You run in a race not a hamster wheel.